What I’d like to see in the next iPhone – Hardware Edition

As a loyal Android user, some might assume that I hate everything Apple. It’s what fanboys love to insinuate, but that’s certainly not the case. I’ve always admired the design aesthetic and hardware of Apple products and for the first time ever, I’m seriously considering buying the next iPhone (along side my Galaxy Nexus, of course). While it’s impossible to ignore the differences in between the operating systems, I’ll mostly be focusing on the hardware aspect of what I’d like to see on the next Apple device.

Here are a few things that if Apple were to implement into the upcoming iPhone, I’ll probably grab one with little questioning.

Bigger Screen

Sure, we know that Apple will likely introduce a bigger screen with the next iPhone, but something under four inches just won’t do for me. Coming from a Galaxy Nexus, it’s a superior handset to watch videos on and it makes the iPhone’s 3.5 inch display look puny, even with the extra pixel density. But pushing a 3.5 inch display to 3.7 inches wouldn’t be enough. From a usability perspective, some would say that the iPhone’s display is perfect and should remain the same but something like the HTC One S’ 4.3 inch display is more than comfortable in the hand. It would be a bit of a transition, but I’d be happy with a 4 inch display on the next iPhone.

Keep it gorgeous, but make it freaking durable

The iPhone 4/4S is probably one of the most beautiful pieces of hardware I’ve ever laid eyes on but in the process of making such a gorgeously designed handset, Apple sacrificed most of the durability. I don’t care if the thing has Gorilla Glass, it’s a fragile piece of hardware. The choice to cover the device in glass was all for aesthetic appeal, and that’s a bit frustrating.

Of course, I’m hardly expecting Apple to use plastic in the upcoming iPhone but I don’t want to buy a product a company blatantly chose form over function. I’m a clumsy dude and my Galaxy Nexus has taking its fair share of shitters. Most recently, I dropped my phone down three concrete stairs from about 4.5 feet in the air, and it received only a few scuffs. The words “iPhone” and “concrete” shouldn’t go in the same sentence.

I’d like to see a solid metal device without glass on the back, but only to protect the screen. Luckily, if the recent photos are the real deal, Apple has learned its lesson.

No room for grey area in a white and black world

This is just personal preference but I’d love to see Apple produce more color options with the iPhone. I doubt that this will happen any time soon, but damned if I wouldn’t rock an orange iPhone. I’m not even kidding.

NFC for good measure

This is hardly a requirement but the addition of NFC in the new iPhone would work well in a couple of different ways. For starters, Apple should really borrow (steal, whatever) the Android Beam idea for sharing applications, pictures, and videos. Moreover, even if Apple didn’t truly attempt to utilize the chip until a future iPhone, it would allow users that are locked into a two-year contract not feel so dated when Apple actually ends up doing something with it.

Of course, Apple wants you to buy the new iPhone, so leaving it out would ensure that those who do want the technology would pony up the money for it. That said, if Apple were to create some sort of NFC wallet solution, it would be smart to have as many generations of the handset be able to utilize the feature.

As you can see, there’s actually not a lot that’s keeping me from grabbing an iPhone this year. The fact that my soul is essentially tied to Google products will likely keep Android as my main platform of choice, but the draw of iOS has become more alluring than ever.

With the exception of the larger display, my three other requests in the new iPhone would benefit all users in the long run. Make it happen, Apple.